Alligators can run on land at speeds between 9 and 20 miles per hour (14 to 32 kilometers per hour), but only in very short bursts—typically less than 30 feet.

Alligator Running Speed

• In short sprints, some alligators may briefly reach up to 30–35 mph, but this is extremely rare and not sustained.

• Typical running speed is about 9–11 mph for most alligators, which is often enough to surprise nearby prey but not for chasing over distances.

• Alligators quickly tire and cannot maintain high speeds; after their initial burst, they slow down considerably.

Land vs Water Speed

• On land, their maximum sprint speed is usually 11 mph, with rare short bursts up to 20 mph or higher.

• In water, alligators swim much faster—up to 20 mph—by propelling themselves with their powerful tails.

Summary Table

Setting| Maximum Burst Speed| Typical Sustained Speed
---|---|---
Land| 20–30 mph (rare, short) 125| 9–11 mph 147910
Water| Up to 20 mph 1710| 2–5 mph (conserving energy) 17

Alligator speed can surprise people, but they are built for short dashes—not chasing prey across long distances.